Category: Cars

  • Green Transportation: Are Electric Cars Really a Smart Choice for the Environment?

    The automotive industry is in the midst of a fairly seismic transformation. You might have seen evidence of it on your street: charging stations are starting to appear on driveways, and number-plates are beginning to feature those little green squares which indicate an electric vehicle (or EV).

    Among the major benefits of electric cars is that they don’t pollute the environment to anywhere near the same extent. But is the hype around this solution really justified? Let’s examine the trend more closely.

    What’s an EV?

    An EV is any vehicle that’s powered entirely through an onboard battery. This is much bigger than the battery that’s attached to the starter motor of an internal combustion vehicle. Electric Vehicles are distinct from hybrid ones, which employ a combination of internal-combustion and electric locomotion. 

    Benefits of an EV

    We’ve already mentioned the environmental upside to an electric vehicle. Since you’re not burning any oil in the vehicle itself, you don’t need to worry about exhaust fumes spilling out of the back and messing up the ecosystem, and raising global temperatures. Of course, electric vehicles need to get their energy from somewhere, and if that somewhere is a fossil-fuel burning power plant, then there’s still reason to be sceptical.

    With that said, the general efficiency of an EV puts it at an advantage, even when this is the case. The Volkswagen Up, for example, can cover more than 5 miles on a single kwh. As the efficiency of batteries increases over time, we should expect to see this gap widen. Moreover, the energy cost of manufacturing a given battery should lessen over time as economies of scale begin to kick in.

    You don’t need to sacrifice drivability for the sake of an electric vehicle, with just about every major manufacturer having an electric vehicle of some description to offer.

    Should You go Electric?

    For most motorists, the electric question is one of when rather than if. Batteries are almost certain to get more efficient over time, and innovations like solid-state batteries are set to push things forward even further in the future.

    Greater production capacity, similarly, is sure to push down the price of driving electric, just as the opposite effect takes hold of the internal-combustion market. With fewer viable petrol stations around, and more charging stations, there will come a point when only classic cars, and those with special historical and sentimental value, are fuelled with traditional petrol and diesel. With the government already having announced plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in the future, it’s likely that the industry will head in that direction sooner rather than later.

  • Choosing The Right Car For Your Road Trips

    If you like to travel differently from the standard fare of “airport to airport to hotel” and back again, then becoming a road tripper might be just the right thing to get your wheels spinning. However, aside from packing right and planning the right route, you want to make sure that you have the vehicle that’s going to help you make the distance and choose the right auto insurance. For that reason, we’re going to look at some of the qualities you should look for in the car that you bring with you.

    Picture – CC0 License

    Ensure it can make the drive

    One of the factors of road trips that many don’t consider until it’s too late is that driving your car for long distances is going to push it much harder than the average trip does. To that end, make sure you have your car serviced before you go on any long trip, but also consider cars that are better known for reliability and high standards of manufacturing, such as Toyota. This way, there’s less of a chance of you breaking down in the middle of the road during your trip.

    Size and space

    If you’re going on a road trip, then you want to make sure that you pack everything that will keep you comfortable for whatever the duration of the trip. Depending on where you stop, you might even want to pack some camping gear. To that end, vehicles like Land Rovers are going to offer the most packing space you can ask for, but you might not want a vehicle that large. Cars like the Honda Jazz and Audi A6 are also well known for their interior space, but don’t take up quite as much room on the outside.

    Comfort and convenience

    Once you have all the vital practicalities out of the way, you need to look a little closer at what the experience in the car is like, as well. This means looking at the comfort of the inside, as well as the technology available, such as the infotainment systems and high-quality interiors that Audi cars are known for. After all, this is supposed to be a trip and you want to make sure that boredom and a lack of comfort aren’t spoiling the journey for anyone in the car.

    Safety features

    Most important of all is that you’re able to make the drive with your friends and family safely. There are vehicles that come with all manner of safety features as standard, but you might be able to buy additional safety add-ons for even those cars that don’t come with them immediately. This can include things like back cameras for the car, as well as collision detection functions that can help you avoid bumps and crashes on the road. Of course, being a safe driver is going to matter even more than the features the car offers.

    Your choice of car is going to make a huge difference in your road trip. Hopefully, the tips above help you choose the right vehicle to go the distance.

  • What Does it Take to Become an Automotive Designer?

    Getting into automotive design is a great way to transform your love of automobiles into a very lucrative and rewarding career. However, you should know that it’s not an easy career path, and only a few make it. But, if you sincerely think you have the skills, passion, and determination needed, then this is definitely something you could consider. Let’s take a look at what it takes to become an automotive designer.

    The Skills

    No matter how much you love and think you know about cars, there is a certain set of skills that you’ll actually need if you want to have a chance. First, you will need to have strong maths and science skills. You also need to have an eye for aesthetics, and good spatial reasoning skills. Problem solving will also be needed, as you’ll have to know how to reconcile design elements with technical limitations. Automotive designers also need to be creative, with good communication skills as they’ll usually work as part of a team.

    Education and Experience

    Know that you’ll most likely need a bachelor’s degree in product or automotive design to work as an automotive designer. You should also know that there are things that you can do to develop basic skills before you start. 

    One of the options, for instance, would be to work in body repair or start your own body repair shop. Those who have body repair experience are often able to see possible design issues better than those who’ve never been on the ground, as they have extensive knowledge of common design flaws in vehicles.

    If you decide to start your own shop, it would be wise that you start informing yourself on operating costs, and things like motor trade insurance, for instance. You can do some online research to compare a multitude of different suppliers and help you find the best deals on motor trade insurance. You can apply directly from the linked site the minute you find a quote. They’ll also allow you to take out a policy over the phone, and will facilitate the whole process for you.

    Finding Employment

    There are many things that you could do to get a position as a designer once you complete your studies. One of the ways is to find an internship. Someone may end up seeing your work and consider you for a starting position. If you want to stand out, ask pertinent questions, always complete your tasks and try to network with your peers. 

    Another thing you should do is build a portfolio with some of your designs. You want to make your design specific to different brands, and show that you understand their corporate look. You have to be aware of the different styles and design types of every company, and show that your designs could actually work for them.

    Working as an automotive designer could be like a dream come true for anyone with a genuine love for automobiles. Make sure that you look at what will be required of you, and inform yourself as to what the job actually entails before you embark on your path.